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Finding A Home Away From Home, Dale & Belinda Beatty

“It’s amazing how clear everything becomes when you think your next breath could be your last.” – Dale Beatty

Iraq War Veteran and Purple Heart recipient SSG Dale Beatty (Ret.) remembers the day his life changed forever and how Fisher House Foundation helped him and his family on the long road to recovery.

“It’s amazing how clear everything becomes when you think your next breath could be your last.” – Dale Beatty

On November 15, 2004 Dale Beatty was injured when an IED explosion flipped his Humvee, which resulted in Dale losing both of his legs.

Initially, Dale was sent to Landstuhl to be stabilized before being sent back to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC for long-term rehabilitation. His wife Belinda, soon joined Dale, followed by their two boys.

“My dad was military, so we grew up knowing that military families stick together,” Belinda said. “No brother left behind. I made arrangements to stay in DC however long Dale was going to be there.”

About a week into Dale’s recovery, he asked his wife where she and the boys were staying. Although they were originally in a hotel, Dale’s family had moved into the Fisher House. This was the first Dale heard about the Fisher House program, but he soon became very familiar with the “home away from home” as it allowed his family to be present during the recovery process.

“I’ve seen a lot of charities do a lot of different things for the military, but only Fisher House has focus on the entire family as a unit,” Dale said. “We were all able to be together.”

“Living in the Fisher House was home away from home,” Belinda continued. “I was never alone and I could always talk to someone – you’re surrounded by love.”

Dale continued to rehabilitate with his family by his side. Today Dale continues to play in a band, golf and run his own non-profit organization to support Veterans. He remains forever grateful for what Fisher House did.

“Without Fisher House Foundation, I don’t know what my prognosis would have been, or where I would be now not having my family next to me. What we have is irreplaceable.”